Key Points:
- Pixel Watch users report rapid battery drain after the June 2024 update.
- The culprit might be new features included in the update.
- Pixel phones to receive more informative overheating warnings in the future.
Pixel Watch: A Battery Woe Story
Pixel Watch owners are experiencing a surge in battery drain following the June 2024 security update. The smartwatch’s battery seems to deplete much faster than usual, with some reporting complete exhaustion within a few hours. This issue affects both generations of the Pixel Watch, regardless of usage patterns. Previously, a 50% charge before bed could easily last until morning, but now the watch might be dead upon waking. The culprit is suspected to be the June 2024 update, which introduced features like car crash detection and PayPal integration. Google has yet to officially comment on the issue, but hopefully, a fix is on the horizon.
Pixel Phones: A Clearer Picture of Overheating
While the Pixel Watch grapples with battery woes, Pixel phones are set to receive a much-needed upgrade in the communication department. Currently, Pixel users only see a generic “Phone is getting warm” message when their device overheats. This cryptic notification requires users to delve into online support articles for further information. Thankfully, Google is developing more descriptive warnings that eliminate the need for external resources.
The existing notification mentions “Some features are limited while the phone cools down,” which isn’t particularly helpful. Tapping for more info reveals: “Your phone will automatically try to cool down. You can still use your phone, but it may run slower. Once your phone has cooled down, it will run normally.”
Thankfully, the upcoming update brings a significant improvement. Version 1.27.0.638152889 of Device Health Services introduces more informative warnings. Instead of the generic message, users will see “Phone needs to cool down: You may experience slower performance. Try avoiding direct sunlight or close any battery-intensive apps.”
The full notification delves deeper, explaining: “Pixel will try to cool your phone down by temporarily limiting: Performance speed, Disabling 5G network, and more.” It also provides helpful tips on cooling down the phone, including avoiding direct sunlight, improving airflow, and closing battery-intensive apps.
This update ensures users are well-informed about the overheating situation and empowers them to take corrective actions. This new notification system is triggered when the Pixel reaches 120.2 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Interestingly, an Adaptive Thermal service continuously monitors the phone’s temperature, taking readings every five minutes. If the temperature reaches 125.6 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius), an “emergency” state is triggered. Finally, at a critical temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), a pre-shutdown message appears, warning users about an imminent shutdown due to high temperature.
While the updated overheating warnings haven’t rolled out widely yet, Google notes that version 1.27.x brings “Optimizations for Adaptive Battery functionalities.” The new warnings are expected to debut on Pixel phones via a future server-side update.
